Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Srisailam
· Summer: March-May (22°C - 41°C)
· Winter: November-February (14°C - 30°C)
Monsoon: June-September
Best time to visit:
November-March
Opening Time: 06:00 a.m.
Closing Time: 09:00 p.m.
Weekly Holiday: Nil
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: Nil
Children:
Nil
Cameras: Nil
Video Camera: Nil
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
Nil
Children:
Nil
Cameras:
Nil
Video Camera:
Nil
Srisailam Tiger Reserve, also known as Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve and Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, holds the distinction of being the largest tiger reserve in India. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1978, it was included in Project Tiger in 1983. Spread over 5 districts, the reserve claims the total area of 3,568 sq. km. which includes 1,200 sq. km. of core area.
Topography of the reserve includes the Nallamala Hills, forested valleys, river gorges, plateaus and some very spectacular waterfalls that are worth visiting. Apart from southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forests and Deccan thorn scrub forests, the reserve is also home to Euphorbia scrubs. The wildlife treasures include Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, jungle cat, dholes, civet, mongoose, badgers, hyena, jackal, sambar, spotted deer, chinkara, black buck and wild boar among others.
Popular birds at the reserve include partridges, jungle fowls, plovers, ducks, pochards, teals, quails, woodpeckers, barbets, cuckoo, hornbills, kingfishers, parakeets, doves, eagles, egrets, kites, herons, minivets, flycatchers and many more. Terrapins, geckos, marsh crocodile, monitor lizards, skinks, cobra, krait, vipers and pythons are the reptiles found here. The reserve’s attractions also include the huge Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam Dams, pilgarimage sites (including a Jyotirlinga and a Maha Shakti Peeth), ruins of Buddhist universities, ancient forts and rock shelters.
Connectivites
Road:
Located close to the holy town of Srisailam, the tiger reserve has excellent connectivity with many cities, including the state capital Hyderabad. State transport buses from each of these cities ply to the reserve. Alternatively, you can access the reserve in private vehicles or hired jeeps. The park roads close from 09:00 p.m. to 06:00 a.m.
Railway:
Markapur Railway Station is only about 63 km. while Hyderabad Railway Station is about 225 km. from the reserve. Taxis are the best options from these stations to reach the destination.
Airway:
The closest airport is at Hyderabad (about 212 km. away) which boasts of good domestic and international air connectivity. From the airport, plan the connecting road trip in jeeps.